Human Evolution Quiz

Hominins include modern humans, extinct human species, and all our immediate ancestors after the split from the chimpanzee lineage.

Homo neanderthalensis, or Neanderthals, are the closest extinct relatives of modern humans, sharing a common ancestor about 500,000 years ago.

All evidence points to Homo sapiens evolving in Africa roughly 200,000 years ago.

Early humans spread out of Africa to Asia using land routes about 1.8 million years ago.

Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) went extinct roughly 28,000 years ago as Homo sapiens spread.

Homo erectus is often called the 'missing link' due to its transitional features between apes and modern humans.

Homo habilis, known as the "handy man," lived about 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago and is associated with Oldowan stone tools.

Australopithecus, discovered in South Africa, had an erect posture and was known to use stones for hunting and defense.

Homo erectus is credited with the earliest evidence of controlled fire use, which aided in cooking and protection.

Homo sapiens sees the fastest brain enlargement relative to body size starting about 800,000 years ago.